THE BIG ORANGE: The Big Orange is situated in Gayndah, Queensland’s oldest town, off the Burnett Highway. Gayndah was established for sheep farming in the 1840′s and the first fruit orchard was planted in 1892. Gayndah, alongside Ipswich, was once in the running to be the state’s capital and you can still see the renowned heritage buildings and manicured gardens on the main street. Australia’s citrus capital and Queensland’s largest orange growing area, no visit to Gayndah would be complete without a visit to The Big Orange. The Big Orange, as its name suggests, is famous for its orange and mandarin orchards. The fruit is ripe for picking from mid-July to September and you can pick your own fruit with costs ranging from $25-$90 a bin depending on the variety. The fruit is sweet, firm, juicy and unwaxed and is consumed domestically and also exported all over the world. On site is the gift shop where you can sample the Devonshire tea and scones accompanied by home-made strawberry and mandarin marmalades. Also on offer in the gift shop are an assortment of spreads made from local produce, honey and freshly squeezed juices as well as other trinkets and souvenirs. There is also a Gayndah Orange Festival which is held on the Queen’s birthday weekend in odd numbered years. Gayndah is also a popular destination for fruit picking jobs during harvest season.
Hours: April to September 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Find us: 3 Mick Lutvey Street Gayndah QLD 4625
Phone: 07/ 4161 1500 or 0427 165 936
Web: http://www.northburnett.qld.gov.au/?id=166
THE CLOVELY ESTATE: Clovely Estate is a leading Queensland winery from the South Burnett region, approximately three hours’ drive north-west of Brisbane. Moffatdale Vineyard Cellar Door lies in the heart of the South Burnett Region, surrounded by 173 hectares of vineyard. It is a charming wine estate with a similar climate to the Hunter Valley region, that is, drier in the summer and cooler in the winter with not too much rain. Clovely Estate has produced many award winning wines so why not drop by to sample a crisp Chardonnay or perhaps a Gold winning left field Semillon, the perfect accompaniment to seafood. The 2010 Verdelho also won gold against the Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale and Western Australian regions. The estate is also famous for its double pruned Shiraz whereby the fruit is pitted prior to summer and then re-harvested in the cooler winter months to produce a unique flavour. Wine connoisseurs and novices alike visit the Cellar Door to sample local wines and revel in the enjoyable atmosphere. As well as wine production Clovely Estate also presses their own olive oil in their local factory. Wine tastings are held at the cellar door and lunch is offered in the transformed milking shed at the Old Dairy Restaurant on weekends between 12pm-2pm with its French-inspired and modern cuisines. The estate is also home to Clovely Cottage, a B&B, just metres from the vineyard cellar door. Sleeping up to 10 people, Clovely Cottage is perfect for couples, families and groups looking for a relaxing wine country escape. For more details contact the Estate on the details below.
Hours: Wine tasting 10:00 am – 4:00 pm daily. Restaurant 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm weekends and most public holidays
Find us: Steinhardts Road, Moffatdale Qld 4605
Phone: 07/ 3876 3100
Web: http://www.clovely.com.au/
CANIA GORGE CARAVAN AND TOURIST PARK: The place to head to get back to nature, the Cania Gorge Caravan and Tourist Park is the gateway to the spectacular Cania Gorge National Park. The 3,000 hectare National Park is one of Queensland’s best kept secrets and encompasses sandstone cliffs, caves, forests, an array of native flora and fauna and is home to the picturesque Lake Cania. The lake has plenty of fish so be sure to pack a fishing rod. The tourist park has a variety of accommodation ranging from en-suite villas and cabins, bunkhouses and powered and unpowered sites. Activities on offer at the park include kayaking, golf, tennis, bush walking and fishing to name a few. For the kids there’s also pools, bird feeding, jumping pillows and movies.
Price: Starting at $30 for an unpowered site to $175 for a hillside villa (twin share, per night).
Find us: Phil Marshall Drive, Monto Qld 4630
Phone: 07/ 4167 8188 or 1800 673 018
Web: http://www.caniagorge.com.au/
PURSER’S COACHES AND TOURS: Family owned and operated for 25 years, Purser’s Coaches and Tours offer planned and customised tours of the Murgon region. The first stop on one of the tours is the rustic Bridgeman Downs cellars situated in the South Burnett, Queensland’s biggest wine region, followed by Moffatdale Ridge, home to fine liquor, fabulous bistro food and entertainment. The final stop on tour is one of the South Burnett’s newest delights, the Goomeri Gourmet Bakehouse. The company has depots in Kingaroy, Murgon and Goomeri. They offer coaches for hire, wine tours, extended tours, day trips, and a shopper’s bus to Murgon and Goomeri.
Find us: 40 Gore Street, Murgon Qld 4605
Phone: 07/ 4168 1533
Email: purserscoaches@bigpond.com
PEANUT VAN: Welcome to Kingaroy, the peanut capital of Australia and reportedly the healthiest peanuts in the world. Established in 1969 by the passionate Ruth Davis, the Peanut Van is one of Kingaroy’s best known sites and stocks only the highest quality peanuts. It is now run by Rob and Chris Patch, a local peanut farming family who have since expanded to a Childers site and a Chermside store in Brisbane. According to their loyal customer base the Peanut Van has the freshest and tastiest peanuts in the world. The menu is extensive with varieties such as Kurry, Wasabi, Salt & Vinegar, Hickory Smoke and Mexican Delight as well as more traditional varieties. With a 100% commitment to the environment, the multi award winning Peanut Van is a must for anyone visiting Kingaroy.
Hours: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, 7 days
Price: Starting from $3.50 for 100g and can be mail ordered
Find us: 77 Kingaroy Street, Kingaroy Qld 4617
Phone: 07/ 4163 6444 or 1300 81 82 83
Web: http://www.peanutvan.com.au/
CHEESEWORLD GOOMERI: You know you’re in the right place when you enter a world full of cheese. Located on the Burnett Highway in Goomeri, Cheeseworld offers a try before you buy policy. Situated at the junction of three highways and just 20 kilometres away from the South Burnett wine region the Victorian inspired Cheeseworld Goomeri is the perfect stop to stock up on fine cheese. If you’re passionate about your cheese, head to Cheeseworld, Goomeri.
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, 7 days
Find us: 29 Moore Street, Goomeri, Qld 4601
Phone: 07/ 4168 4418
Web: http://www.cheeseworldgoomeri.com.au/
BJELKE-PETERSEN DAM: An inland lake also known as Lake Barambah, the Bjelke-Petersen Dam was built in the early 1980’s across Barkers Creek to supply water to the upper South Burnett area. The Dam has become a popular tourist attraction and offers world class fishing, water sports and leisure activities. The dam spans 2,500 hectares and has facilities including a boat ramp, car park and multiple landscaped picnic and barbecue areas. There are caravan, camping and cabin accommodation along the lakes foreshore. The native wildlife includes koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and various birdlife. Fish species include Golden Perch and Silver Perch, Sartoga, Australian Basscan, Eel Tailed Catfish, Sleepy Cod and Redclays Crayfish. The annual fishing competition takes place during the first weekend of October and is a hugely popular event drawing fishermen from all over Queensland. If you have your own equipment, you can also water ski or sail. There is an in ground swimming pool adjacent to the tennis courts and the dam provides adequate sheltered swimming areas for all the family. The surrounding bushland is accessible to walkers and bird watchers. Regular get-togethers are arranged for guests. On Tuesdays, there is a free morning tea at 10:00 am, – BYO tea/coffee. On the first and third Fridays of each month enjoy a $2.00 sausage sizzle at 6:00 pm. It is only a short drive from Bjelke-Petersen Dam Visitor & Recreation Park to surrounding wineries/cellar doors, open gardens and numerous heritage and cultural attractions.
Price: Free entry to the dam. See price list for accommodation http://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=21a7b3e9-b9e6-4081-bc78-db1671ae1ba7&groupId=12544
Find us: 13km South of Murgon CBD
Phone: 07/ 4168 4746
Web: http://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/web/guest/bjelke-petersen-dam
